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civil liberties

Cultural  

  1. In general, the rights to freedom of thought, expression, and action, and the protection of these rights from government interference or restriction. Civil liberties are the hallmark of liberal, democratic “free” societies. In the United States, the Bill of Rights guarantees a variety of civil liberties, most notably freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech, expressed in the First Amendment (see also First Amendment). (See civil rights.)

Example Sentences

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NGOs and civil society groups regularly condemn violations of civil liberties and threats against political opponents.

From Barron's

And, an overlapping circle of liberals and intellectuals who wanted to restore the 1906 constitution with free elections and civil liberties.

From The Wall Street Journal

For critics, however, the episode underscored deeper tensions between consumer convenience and civil liberties: when smart home tools are designed for safety, they can also create powerful new pathways for surveillance.

From Salon

For advocates and civil liberties groups, the decision to drop charges and open a probe underscores persistent concerns about accountability and the narrative control of law enforcement agencies.

From Salon

HRC President Kelley Robinson said, “This moment should serve as a wake-up call to every American who cares about civil liberties: when journalists can be detained for covering protests, none of us are safe.”

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.